1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes KEY CONCEPT Science is a way of thinking, questioning, and gathering evidence.

1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes Like all science, biology is a process of inquiry.

• Scientists make careful and systematic

observation

s.

• Scientists record observations as

data

.

• Scientists form a

hypothesis

as a possible answer to a question.

• Scientists test their hypotheses and

analyze

their data.

1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes Biologists use experiments to test hypotheses.

•

Observational studies

allow scientists to describe a phenomenon.

1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes

•

Experimental studies

allow scientists to determine what causes a phenomenon.

1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes Experiments

have two groups

1. Control group

- The experimenter does not change any of the conditions 2.

Experimental group

- The experimenter varies only one of the conditions

1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes

• Experimental studies allow scientists to determine what causes a phenomenon.

–

Independent variables

are controlled by the scientist –

Dependent variables

are observed and measured.

–

Constants

are conditions that are kept the same.

1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes A theory explains a wide range of observations.

• •

Theories

explain a wide range of observations and experimental results.

• A

theory

is supported by a wide range of scientific evidence.

Theories

can change based on new evidence.

1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes

• Your friends complain that when they eat chocolate, they break out. Design an experiment to test this idea. Be certain to include and identify: 1. The

experimental group

2. The

control group

3. The

independent variable

4. The

dependent variable